logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2020
48m 54s

Romeo & Juliet In Rwanda

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode
How do you change someone's behavior? Most of us would point to education or persuasion. But what if the answer lies elsewhere? This week, we revisit a 2018 story about human nature and behavior change — a story that will take us on a journey from Budapest to the hills of Rwanda. 
Up next
Oct 12
Why Am I Unhappy?
We often imagine that feelings of unhappiness come from outside us — in our circumstances or the difficult people in our lives. But what if the forces that erode our happiness come from within? Psychologist George Loewenstein joins us to explore why our minds nudge us toward the ... Show More
1h 33m
Oct 5
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
When historian Kate Bowler was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, she became fascinated by the ways people try to impose order on events they can't control. She joins us to explore what it means to live fully when life offers no satisfying explanation for the tragedies we may face. ... Show More
1h 32m
Sep 28
How to Make a Difference: Part 2
Think about the last time you had a discouraging thought. Maybe you told yourself, "This won't work. I'm not cut out for this." Did you take that thought as fact? Last week, we talked with psychologist Martin Seligman about why some people come to believe that their actions don’t ... Show More
49m 9s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2016
Outside In
There's a popular idea out there that you can change from the outside in. Power posing. Fake it 'til you make it. If you just assume the pose, inner transformation will follow. We examine to what extent this is true, by following the first all-female debate team in Rwanda, a coun ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 2020
Chapter 1 Associate with Wise People
Human nature has both good and bad elements, but our environment and what we learn can change our nature. 
8m 13s
Aug 2021
The Secrets To Changing Peoples Minds
Dr. Maya Shankar is a behavioral scientist that discusses with Nick how it is possible to change people's minds not only in personal relationships, but also on a global scale. 
4m 39s
May 2021
Need To Make A Change? Behavioral Science Can Help
When's the best time to start a new habit? And what makes some stick while others fall by the wayside? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's new book, How to Change, breaks down the research about how to leverage human nature instead of working against it to achieve your goals.See ... Show More
19m 26s
Mar 2020
How to be a better dad
This week we’re in Rwanda, where some men are getting lessons teaching them how to look after their babies. As well as promoting gender equality it's helping to reduce the high levels of violence women there experience at the hands of their husbands and partners. People Fixing th ... Show More
24m 38s
Apr 2024
Perception vs Reality
As with last week, we are doing something a little different. Jemar Tisby & EP Beau York are talking about the importance of understanding history and combating prevalent fictitious narratives, especially in the era of AI.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc ... Show More
31m 22s
Jan 2022
Need to make a change in your life? Behavioral science can help
When's the best time to start a new habit? And what makes some stick while others fall by the wayside? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's new book, How to Change, breaks down the research about how to leverage human nature instead of working against it to achieve your goals. (Th ... Show More
18m 23s
Jul 2024
The Nature of Change
<p>In this week&apos;s episode, we talk about the nature of change - how it happens, why we fight it and what we can do to accept it on a deeper level.</p> 
11m 43s
Mar 2022
How to Change Your Mind (Ep. 379 Update)
<p>There are a lot of barriers to changing your mind: ego, overconfidence, inertia — and cost. Politicians who flip-flop get mocked; family and friends who cross tribal borders are shunned. But shouldn’t we be <i>encouraging</i> people to change their minds? And how can we get be ... Show More
47m 59s
Jun 2019
382. How Goes the Behavior-Change Revolution?
<p>An all-star team of behavioral scientists discovers that humans are stubborn (and lazy, and sometimes dumber than dogs). We also hear about binge drinking, humblebragging, and regrets. Recorded live in Philadelphia with guests including Richard Thaler, Angela Duckworth, Katy M ... Show More
51m 3s